With Kenji Jojima needing surgery on his left knee, the Tigers will begin looking at their internal catching options like Shinji Komiyama, Taichi Okazaki, and Takashi Shimizu. But if it seems like Jojima will miss a big chunk of the start of the season, the team may also look into potential free agents Akihito Fujii (RAK), Toru Hosokawa (SEI), and whoever else might hit the market. And if not that, a trade also appears to be a possibility.

Incidentally, it seems Jojima injured the knee while running the bases during a game against the Yomiuri Giants on 9/20.